Early Breakfast withRelebogile Mabotja

Xolani Gwala spoke to Wayde van Niekerk's stepfather Steven Swarts and mom Odessa from Rio about their son's winning performance in the 400m.

Wayde van Niekerk's stepfather Steven Swarts says they are ecstatic.

We are pinching ourselves this morning to ensure it actually happened last night.

— Steven Swartz, Wayde van Niekerk's stepfather

Swarts spoke to Gwala about Wayde's injuries over the years and says there were times his stepson felt like giving up. But he says Wayde realised he had to go through this process in order to achieve what he needed to achieve and went through a rehabilitation programme.

It was because of these injuries that he moved from 100m to 400 m.

Now that we look back in hindsight, it was probably a blessing in disguise. That injury forced him to do the 400m.

— Steven Swarts, Wayde van Niekerk's stepfather

He is a local South African boy, know a world record holder and Olympic champion, and we all need to celebrate that, says Swartz.

Mom Odessa says her head is still buzzing.

I have not even had a moment to just sit down and take everything in.

— Odessa Swarts, Wayne van Niekerk's mother

She says it is such a proud moment, not just for their family, but for all South Africans.

I got so many messages from moms saying how produ they are and what an inspiration he is to their kids.

— Odessa Swarts, Wayne van Niekerk's mother

She says the humble person you see on the world stage is just the way he is, and he has always been a good child.